Introduction! A collection of recommended masterpieces and standard numbers for jazz beginners
We often hear people say things like, “Jazz feels a bit intimidating…” or “I don’t know where to start.” But did you know there are countless masterpieces you’ve probably heard at least once? The standard numbers you hear in movies, cafés, and TV commercials are perfect for getting into jazz.
In this article, we’ll introduce the charm of jazz through approachable songs that anyone can enjoy.
By the end, you’ll surely be captivated by jazz!
Playlist
| Introduction! A collection of recommended masterpieces and standard numbers for jazz beginners | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | Moanin’Art Blakey |  play_arrow | One of the legendary jazz drummers, Art Bla… |
| 2east | Waltz For DebbyBill Evans |  play_arrow | Dedicated to his beloved niece by Bill Evans... |
| 3east | Round MidnightThelonious Monk |  play_arrow | The jazz master, Mr. Thelonious Monk, is... |
| 4east | Blue TrainJohn Coltrane |  play_arrow | The blues, said to be the ultimate standard in jazz… |
| 5east | What a Wonderful WorldLouis Armstrong |  play_arrow | Jazz giant, Louis Armstro… |
| 6east | Fly Me to the MoonFrank Sinatra |  play_arrow | Longing for the vast cosmos and a love that blazes like fire... |
| 7east | SummertimeElla Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong |  play_arrow | Opera 'Porgy and Bess' ... |
| 8east | All The Things You AreCharlie Parker |  play_arrow | Your very existence is the greatest thing to me... |
| 9east | The Girl From IpanemaStan Getz & Joao Gilberto |  play_arrow | The Girl from Ipanema, a masterpiece of jazz and bossa nova fusion |
| 10east | Infant EyesWayne Shorter |  play_arrow | As one of Wayne Shorter’s signature works, … |
| 11east | My One and Only LoveJohn Coltrane & Johnny Hartman |  play_arrow | A deep, warm singing voice, with accompaniment that seems to gently embrace it... |
| 12east | Giant StepsKenny Garrett |  play_arrow | It’s a live performance from the Montreux Jazz Festival… |
| 13east | So WhatMiles Davis |  play_arrow | Trumpeter and composer “Miles …” |
| 14east | A Night in TunisiaDizzy Gillespie |  play_arrow | Dizzy, known as the founder of bebop, … |
| 15east | MistySarah Vaughan |  play_arrow | A mix of happiness and anxiety when falling in love… |
| 16east | My Funny ValentineChet Baker |  play_arrow | Affectionately known by the nickname “Prince of Cool,” ... |
| 17east | It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)Duke Ellington |  play_arrow | "If it doesn't swing, it doesn't mean a thing," ... |
| 18east | One O’Clock JumpCount Basie and his Orchestra |  play_arrow | The theme of the Count Basie Orchestra… |
| 19east | DjangoThe Modern Jazz Quartet |  play_arrow | The prodigiously talented guitarist who died young, Django Rein… |
| 20east | Take FiveDave Brubeck, Paul Desmond |  play_arrow | A rare 5/4 tune among jazz standards... |
| 21east | Night and DayStan Getz & Bill Evans |  play_arrow | Night And Day / Stan Ge... |
| 22east | Goodbye Pork Pye HatCharles Mingus |  play_arrow | Included on the 1959 album 'Mingus Ah Um.' Mingus… |
| 23east | My Favorite ThingsJohn Coltrane |  play_arrow | In '61, “My Favorite Thin…” |
| 24east | Fire WaltzEric Dolphy |  play_arrow | ’61 “Eric Dolphy At T…” |
| 25east | Ponta de AreiaEsperanza Spalding |  play_arrow | From the 2008 album Esperanza. Bassist... |
| 26east | Tell Me A Bedtime StoryQuincy Jones |  play_arrow | In '78, “Sounds And Stuff…” |
| 27east | Don’t Know WhyNorah Jones |  play_arrow | Norah Jones is not only jazz but also so... |
| 28east | Forest FlowerCharles Lloyd |  play_arrow | From the 1967 album “Forest Flower.” Sa… |
| 29east | Sleeping Dancer Sleep OnArt Blakey & The Jazz Messengers |  play_arrow | In ’66, “Like Someone In …” |
| 30east | I Get a Kick Out of YouDinah Washington |  play_arrow | The Broadway m... released in 1934 |
| 31east | Work SongCannonball Adderley Quintet |  play_arrow | Composed by Nat Adderley, and in 1960 it wa… |
| 32east | Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (2010 Remastered Version)THE PLATTERS |  play_arrow | Many wonderful jazz standards… |
| 33east | Begin the BeguineArtie Shaw |  play_arrow | A famous jazz standard that will be passed down to future generations... |
| 34east | CountdownJohn Coltrane |  play_arrow | Known as a jazz standard, this piece is compo… |
| 35east | You don’t know what love isSonny Rollins |  play_arrow | Recorded in ’56 on Saxophone Colossus. Co... |
| 36east | All of MeBillie Holiday |  play_arrow | Including amateurs, the Japanese jazz singer who is the most… |
| 37east | StablematesBlue Mitchell |  play_arrow | From the 1973 release “Stablmates.” Beni… |
| 38east | Someone to Watch Over MeBarbra Streisand |  play_arrow | In 1926, in the musical “Oh, Kay…” |
| 39east | UnforgettableNatalie Cole |  play_arrow | This song was released by Natalie Cole... |
| 40east | A Love Supreme, Pt. I – AcknowledgementJohn Coltrane |  play_arrow | An American representative saxophonist, Ji... |
| 41east | I Never Knew (I Could Love Anybody Like I’m Loving You)Benny Goodman |  play_arrow | Known as a leading figure of swing jazz… |
| 42east | Body and SoulBillie Holiday |  play_arrow | Composed by Johnny Green in 1930... |
| 43east | Take The A TrainDuke Ellington |  play_arrow | A legendary figure in the jazz world who was active in the 1960s... |
| 44east | I Got RhythmJudy Garland |  play_arrow | This piece is by George Gershwin... |
| 45east | They Can’t Take That Away from MeSarah Vaughan |  play_arrow | Composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira... |
| 46east | Autumn LeavesCannonball Adderley |  play_arrow | This piece is known by its Japanese title “Kareha” (Fallen Leaves), and originally… |
| 47east | Duet Solo DancersCharles Mingus |  play_arrow | The uniquely individualistic bassist, Charles... |
| 48east | Que sera seraDoris Day |  play_arrow | Hitchcock’s film released in 1956… |
| 49east | Whatever Possessed MeElvin Jones |  play_arrow | From “Familiar Ground,” … |
| 50east | A Sunday Kind Of LoveEtta James |  play_arrow | Jazz singer Etta James... |
| 51east | At LastEtta James |  play_arrow | Blues, soul, R&B, jazz singer… |
| 52east | Fascinating RhythmFred Astaire |  play_arrow | In 1924, George Gershwin... |
| 53east | ButterflyHerbie Hancok |  play_arrow | From the 1974 album Thrust. Herbie's e... |
| 54east | Blue BossaJoe Henderson |  play_arrow | Included on the 1963 album “Page One.” Trumpet… |
| 55east | My Back PagesKeith Jarrett |  play_arrow | Keith Jarrett released in 1969… |
| 56east | Hello, DollyLouis Armstrong |  play_arrow | Among American musicals from 1964… |
| 57east | NaimaMark Murphy |  play_arrow | Recorded in ’75: “Mark Murphy.” Mark… |
| 58east | Don’t Let Be Me Lonely TonightMichael Brecker |  play_arrow | Included on the 2001 release “Nearest of You.”… |
| 59east | Sala SmileMike Mainieri |  play_arrow | Included on the 1977 album “Love Play.” Hall… |
| 60east | (I Loveyou) for Sentimental ReasonsNat King Cole |  play_arrow | I’ve come to like you from a pure, genuine place… |
| 61east | Quizas Quizas QuizasNat King Cole |  play_arrow | Recorded in '58. Originally a song from the Latin American region, and… |
| 62east | I Put A Spell On YouNina Simone |  play_arrow | The legendary R&B singer of the ’50s, Scree... |
| 63east | Lonely WomanOrnette Coleman |  play_arrow | The jazz alto saxophone prodigy Ornette Co... |
| 64east | MinuanoPat Metheny Group |  play_arrow | 1992 “Live Under The S… |
| 65east | The Wine And RosesToots Thielemans |  play_arrow | Recorded in ’74. Toots Thielemans’s harmo… |
| 66east | Angel Eyesjim hall |  play_arrow | ’75 “Jim Hall Live!” release… |
| 67east | Autumn LeavesChet Baker |  play_arrow | It has been covered by many jazz musicians… |
| 68east | Cleopatra’s DreamHank Jones |  play_arrow | The performance by the pianist Hank Jones… |
| 69east | Whacha See Is Whatcha GetJohn Scofield |  play_arrow | 2003 “Up All Night” rel… |
| 70east | Blue MoonMel Tormé |  play_arrow | Lyrics by Lorenz Hart, music by Richard… |
| 71east | StuffMiles Davis |  play_arrow | 1968 “Miles In The Sky…” |
| 72east | Beauty and BeastWayne Shorter |  play_arrow | Recorded in 1974 and included on Native Dancer. U... |
| 73east | DreamsvillePat Martino |  play_arrow | 1976 'We’ll Be Togethe…' |